About Us

Our Beginnings

Extraordinary educator and political leader Mary McLeod Bethune (1875-1955) founded NCNW in 1935 and envisioned it to be an "organization of organizations" that would represent the national and international concerns of Black women. It would also give Black women the opportunity to realize their goals for social justice and human rights through united, constructive action.

Our Mission

Today, the National Council of Negro Women, Inc. (NCNW) is a council of 39 affiliated national African American women's organizations and over 240 sections - connecting nearly 4 million women worldwide! Our mission is to lead, develop and advocate for women of African descent as they support their families and communities. We fulfill our mission through research, advocacy and national and community-based health, education and economic empowerment services and programs in the United States and Africa. Through section and affiliate volunteers in 34 states, NCNW addresses local needs while impacting communities nationwide.

Our National Headquarters

Our national headquarters is based in Washington, DC, with a historic main office on Pennsylvania Avenue that is strategically located between the White House and the Capitol. We also have two field offices around the country. The national headquarters acts as a central source for program planning.

• The high-profile annual Black Family Reunion Program Celebration.
• Public education and advocacy for African Americans regarding Supreme Court and lower court nominees.
• Early childhood literacy programs designed to close the achievement gap.
• A new initiative and publication entitled African American Women As We Age, which educates women on health and finances.
• A national obesity abatement initiative.
• A partnership with NASA to develop Community Learning Centers targeting traditionally underserved students.
• Technical assistance to eight Youth Opportunity Centers in Washington, DC.

Some of NCNW's recent international activities include:

• Maintaining consultative status at the United Nations to represent the voice of African American women.
• Partnering with national women's organizations in Benin to deliver technology, literacy, microcredit and economic empowerment programs.
• Linking youth in Uganda, South Africa and the U.S. in a three-nation educational exchange.
• Developing a small business incubator in Senegal.
• Partnering in the implementation of a large microcredit program in Eritrea extending small business loans and training to more than 500 women.